your sourcebook for home interiors, designers and products

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#28

The shorTlisT Shop for reStored, recycled and refurbiShed vintage furniture

design kiT time-teSted trendS from the 2012 milan furniture fair

showcase 20 gorgeouS homeS to impreSS and inSpire

Live it up with earthy materials, textures and colours

BASICS!

ouTdoor Trends

& designer secreTs

FOCUSOn

landed properTy

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Drape yourself over the Icon sun lounger as you laze by the poolside.$4,012.50,

from Journey east

Step outside and take in the beauty of the great outdoorsTake It Outside

The Ivy armchairs and sofas come in orange, turquoise and white, adding a much-needed

burst of vibrancy to your outdoor space.$3,650/$6,020,

from marquis

The weather-proof iB Drop Series silicone showerhead comes in a variety of bright

colours, and is the perfect accompaniment to your

outdoor shower.$228,

from equip-Bathrooms

Take a minute to get away from the hectic city life, and curl up on the Maxxo swing.$999, from natural living

The Shortlist

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Deck out your outdoor space with anti-bacterial laminate floorings that mimic the hardiness of solid wood.$4.50 to $7.90 per sqft, from power Dekor

Relive your nostalgic memories of flying through the air as you sit on the Adagio swings.$3,645, from proof

Brighten up your al fresco dining areas with these cheerfully

coloured candleholders.price unavailaBle,

from francfranc

The rechargeable Xantian LED lights come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours, perfect for whimsical gardens.price upon enquiry, from ohmm

The Gruvyer chair is a stackable seating

option that looks good both indoors

and outdoors.$299,

from molecule

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Different

design firm momo and Partners manage By contrasting textures and styles, interior

While most homes tend to shy away from contrasting design styles,

this particular terrace house fully embraces conflicting dichotomies. A giddy mix of textures, colours and hardiness come together into a visually arresting home.

The homeowner, who stays here with his wife, two children and parents, completely entrusted the planning and execution of the house to designer Moh from Momo and Partners. Moh then approached the design with a keen eye for detail, and the understanding that aesthetics are very important to the owner.

With free reign over the design, Moh decided to juxtapose conflicting themes into the house. Most apparent is the contrast of ‘warm and cosy’ versus ‘cold and hard’. The choice of materials around the house plays this up, with exposed concrete ceilings providing a sharp contrast to the smooth tiled floors, and the rough granite wall standing out against the hardwood surfaces.

The living area has been renovated to achieve an airier layout, combining with the dining and kitchen spaces into one open space. In the middle of this first floor is a granite wall that acts as a backdrop to the living room and affords some privacy to the kitchen area. “The granite also adds texture to the rooms,” Moh offers, “and

it helps to contain the space. It also blocks the existing airwell in the centre of the house.”

Around the dining space, ceiling-high walls are made from thin, vertical strips of rosewood, adding texture and visual interest to the entire house. These wooden strips actually hide the entrances to the storeroom and the elderly parents’ bedroom. The doors are completely hidden behind the seamless feature wall, with no door frames, jambs or handles to mark their position. “I’m sure the owner’s parents had some trouble locating the door when they first moved in,” jokes Moh.

Similarly, the upper levels boast a similar aesthetic, contrasting light glass and dark woods. The master bedroom, which also incorporates a walk-in wardrobe and an en suite bathroom, is a generously spacious area. A pocket door cordons off the room, again replicating the flushed seamlessness evident in this home.

Little design perks like these give the house its unique character. Moh explains that although he uses a lot of minimalist elements, a closer look will reveal the conflicting styles that merge harmoniously together. Dark and light, hard and soft, warm and cold – these dichotomies come together to create a house that is disarmingly different.

Strokesto give this home its unique Personality

Project Type Terrace house

Floor area 4,000 sqfT

TexT: redzman rahmaTPhoTos: edward hendricks

Design KitF e a T u r e

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FEATURE

DESIGN NOTES The stark contrast of

textures in this house

gives it a strong identity

that resonates well

with the homeowner.

The interplay of rough

granite wall and smooth

polished wood provides

an added dimension.

Open walkways, hinged walls and

foldable glass doors can open up the

home, making it feel roomier, more cooling

and aesthetically exceptional.… although

he uses a lot of minimalist

elements, a closer look will reveal the conflicting

styles that merge harmoniously

together.

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F E A T U R E

Design Kit